Business Ethics Quarterly - Weltethos

Business Ethics Quarterly
CALL FOR PAPERS
HUMAN DIGNITY AND BUSINESS
A Conference of the Humanistic Management Network,
Global Ethic Institute, University of Tuebingen, Germany
October 8–10 2014
Deadline for Abstract Submission: May 30, 2014
Special Issue of Business Ethics Quarterly
Guest Editors:
Michael Pirson, Fordham University
Claus Dierksmeier, Tuebingen University/ Global Ethic Institute
Kenneth Goodpaster, University of St. Thomas
Deadline for Abstract Submission: May 30, 2014
The notion of human dignity as that which bestows intrinsic value to human life has been central
to societal progress since the Middle Ages – as evidenced in the quest for freedom from slavery
and other forms of repression, democracy, the establishment of modern governance, and the 20th
century development of an international human rights regime (Kateb, 2011; McCloskey, 2010).
The elevated status that the idea of human dignity holds is epitomized in the famous dictum of
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) that― ”everything has either a price or a dignity. Whatever has a
price can be replaced by something else as its equivalent; on the other hand, whatever is above
all price, and therefore admits of no equivalent, has a dignity” (Kant, 1785). In other words,
dignity represents the apex of all human norms and values. As some economic historians argue,
the quest for dignity has been so relevant that it became a key success factor of social and
economic development in the West (McCloskey, 2010).
Economics and by extension management research, however, have long since neglected the
notion of dignity, possibly due to a utilitarian and reductionist legacy (Dierksmeier, 2011). The
predominant economic anthropology (centered on homo economicus), exemplified by noted
economists and management scholars Michael Jensen and William Meckling (1994) , holds that
we all have a price: “Like it or not, individuals are willing to sacrifice a little of almost anything
we care to name, even reputation or morality, for a sufficiently large quantity of other desired
things; and these things do not have to be money or even material goods.” (p.9-10)
It was not Kantian philosophy but the perspective of homo economicus, a self-interested
maximizer of individual preferences, on which neoclassical economics and the neoclassical
theory of the firm were developed into 20th century management theories (such as scientific
management, administration and bureaucratic control).
Presently, however, there is a growing sentiment in both the public and in academic literature
that endorses the core notion of dignity and its challenge to the homo economicus model that
everything has and ought to have a market price (e.g., environmental protection, social justice,
well-being, and health). In consequence, inquiring into the nature of the idea of human dignity
and its practical repercussions appears to be a very worthwhile scholarly pursuit.
Dignity has various philosophical roots, yet scholars have identified two unifying elements
across time (Hodson, 2001; Meyer & Parent, 1992). The first is that people are said to have a
certain inherent dignity in virtue of being human or being a person (unconditional dignity). The
second is that people may earn dignity through their actions (conditional dignity).
How is this dual notion reflected in management theory and business ethics? As human
vulnerabilities materialize in a socio-economic context, there is 1) an intrinsic, inherent,
unconditional, and universal value to human life that needs to be protected, and 2) an ability to
establish self-worth and self-respect that needs to be promoted.
In this call for papers we encourage authors to actively reconnect management research to the
humanities and social sciences and to demonstrate the relevance of human dignity to the
organizational sciences. Submissions could connect management research with philosophy
(Kant, 1785; Rosen, 2012; Sen, 2001), political science, e.g. conflict resolution (Hicks, 2011),
legal studies, e.g. governance and corporate charters (Kateb, 2011; Meyer & Parent, 1992),
religious studies (Duffy & Gambatese, 1999), economics, e.g. poverty alleviation (McCloskey,
2010; Nussbaum, 1998), sociology, e.g. alienation (Bolton, 2007; Hodson, 2001; Lamont, 2002),
or psychology, e.g. motivation (Harris, 1997). While the above list is merely suggestive and
clearly non-exhaustive, the editors seek papers that can shape the conceptual and theoretical
discussion of management as both instrumental and ethical.
Specific research questions might include, but are not limited to:
a. What are the notions of human dignity that can help advance our discourse in
management?
b. How does the concept of dignity (and related notions) influence current management
scholarship? How should it inform management and economic theories?
c. Is human dignity a fundamental ethical value? Is it a useful concept for economic
analysis and business practice?
d. Is dignity a value that is resistant to trade-offs?
e. What special responsibilities does the notion of dignity create for business corporations?
f. How can human dignity be understood, protected and promoted within management
practice?
g. How can managers enhance and promote human dignity and sustainable well-being?
h. What role does dignity play in organizational contexts on a personal level, a group level,
an organizational or systemic level?
i. What role do violations of human dignity play in organizational contexts?
j. How might attempts to promote human dignity and flourishing in organizational contexts
influence organizational outcomes?
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Authors may elect to submit papers to a conference to be held at the Global Ethic Institute of the University of
Tuebingen, to be held October 8–10, 2014. To be considered for participation in the conference, please submit
an 800–1000 word abstract of your paper no later than May 30, 2014 to [email protected] or
[email protected].
Abstracts must include the following information: Title; statement of the problems or issues to be considered;
statement of thesis and summary of argument; and an overview of the relevant literature. Authors’ names,
addresses, telephone numbers, affiliations, e-mail addresses, and biographies (200 words maximum) must be
included on a separate page. This information should not be included in the word count. A full version of the
paper should be submitted by August 15, 2014.
Papers for the special issue of BEQ must be submitted by December 15, 2014 after the conference via the BEQ
online submission system. Participation in the conference is not a requirement for submission to the special
issue of BEQ. Manuscripts should be prepared according to the BEQ Author Guide and will be blind reviewed
following the journal’s standard process. Presentation at the conference does not guarantee eventual
publication in BEQ. Papers should not exceed 12,000 words.
Key Dates:
Conference Abstract Submission Deadline: May 30, 2014
Conference Paper Submission Deadline: August 15, 2014
Business Ethics Quarterly Submission Deadline: December 15, 2014
Publication: Late 2015/Early 2016
About BEQ
BEQ publishes new scholarly studies on topics relevant to CSR and the ethics of business.
 Theoretical work including analytical, conceptual, and normative articles;
 Qualitative (e.g., interview, participant-observer, ethnographic, case-based) work that makes an original
theoretical contribution;
 Quantitative (e.g., experimental, field, measure development) work that makes an original theoretical
contribution; or
 Historical work that makes an original theoretical contribution.
BEQ 2-year Impact Factor: 2.196 (2012)
BEQ 5-year Impact Factor: 2.555 (2012)
More Information:
For additional information, please contact one of the special issue editors:
Michael Pirson: [email protected]
Claus Dierksmeier: [email protected]
Kenneth Goodpaster: [email protected]
SELECTED REFERENCES
Bolton, S. 2007. Dimensions of dignity at work. : Routledge.
Dierksmeier, C. 2011. Reorienting Management Education: From Homo Oeconomicus to Human
Dignity. In H. M. Network (Ed.), Business Schools Under Fire. New York, NY: Palgrave
McMillan.
Duffy, R. A., & Gambatese, A. 1999. Made in God's image : the Catholic vision of human
dignity. New York: Paulist Press.
Harris, G. 1997. Dignity and Vulnerability: Strength and Quality of Character: University of
California Press.
Hicks, D. 2011. Dignity - Its essential role in resolving conflict: Yale University Press.
Hodson, R. 2001. Dignity at work: Cabridge University Press.
Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. 1994. The Nature of Man. The Journal of Applied Corporate
Finance, Summer: 4-19.
Kant, I. 1785. Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals. Koenigsberg.
Kateb, G. 2011. Human Dignity: Harvard University Press.
Lamont, M. 2002. The Dignity of Working Men: Morality and the Boundaries of Race, Class,
and Immigration: Harvard University Press.
McCloskey, D. 2010. Bourgeois Dignity: Why Economics Can't Explain the Modern World:
University of Chicago.
Meyer, M. J., & Parent, W. A. 1992. The constitution of rights: human dignity and American
values.: Cornell University Press.
Nussbaum, M. 1998. Political animals: luck, love and dignity. . Metaphilosophy, 29(4): 273-287.
Rosen, C. 2012. Dignity: Its History and Meaning: Harvard University Press.
Sen, A. 2001. Development as freedom. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press.

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